Dear Mr.
Hodgson,—I am so glad of an excuse to write to you, that I
avail myself of that of our last letters having crossed,
and there being many points in yours upon which mine would not satisfy you. To
begin with dear B. The last tidings of him
were from Milan, the 13th October, having just arrived there without disasters,
or encounter of robbers on the Simplon. The style struck me as being more
cheerful than former letters. I told you something, and indeed I daresay all I
know, of the Canto, etc. I see
they make their appearance on the 23rd. The story of their being sent to
Lady B. I think I may safely say is
untrue. She was, as well as me, on the eve of leaving Town when Murray received them, and he paid her the compliment of showing them. I think he had scarcely
time to look them over. This may by some means have been twisted into the tale
you have heard; but perhaps you had better keep my information to yourself. I am afraid to open my lips, though all I say
to you I know is secure from misinterpretation. On the opinions expressed by
Mr. M. I am not surprised. I
have seen letters written to him which could not but
give rise to such, or confirm them. If I may give you mine, it is that in his own mind there were and are recollections, fatal
to
| 42 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
| FRESH ANXIETIES. | 43 |
I am obliged to finish this letter, which was begun some days ago, rather in haste, for a frank and the post. I hope you will give me the pleasure of hearing from you when you can. B. desires me to direct to him ‘à Genève, Poste Restante.’ His banker there forwards his letters. I quite dread the Poems. So afraid of their renewing unpleasant recollections in the public mind, and containing bitterness towards her who has already suffered too much. Mind, whatever you hear pray tell me. B. has once or twice said he thought of returning to England in the spring; but I don’t indulge much hope on the subject, nor do I know that it would be desirable. You have probably heard by this time all that is known about the dreadful fire at B. Castle:1 I felt so sorry for it, as knowing the duke and duchess, and the
1 Belvoir. |
| 44 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
Pray write to B. I have much more to say, but cannot say it now.
